Ventilation and exhaust pipe cooling in boats



P. E. FLUOR Aug. 22, 1944.

VENTILATION {\ND EXHAUST PIPE COOLING IN BOATS Filed- July 19, 1945 HIIJPZ 124/0)? INVENTOR.

Patented Aug. 22, 1944 VENTILATION AND EXHAUST PIPE COOLING IN BOATS Peter E. Fluor, Santa Ana, Calif., assignor to The Fluor Corporation, Ltd., Los Angeles, Calii'., a

corporation of California 7 Application July 19, 1943, Serial No. 495,300

14 Claims.

This invention has to do with improved systems for the ventilation of compartments in boats, by which term it is intended to include various size boats, vessels or ships having compartments which, by reason of their locations below the decks, present problems of ventilation. More particularly, the invention is concerned with the ventilation of engine rooms, i. e. compartments containing one or more internal combustion engines, wherein effective ventilation is particularly diflicult by reason of the quantity of heat developed by the engines, heat radiation from the exhaust pipes, and the problem of eiiecting ample cool air circulation by reason of the location of the compartment.

The general object of the invention is to provide a boat ventilating system whereby highly effective air circulation within the engine compartment is accomplished by normally waste energy of the heat producing source itself, that is, the engine. In accordance with the invention, the exhaust gas discharge from the engine is utilized to create air displacement from the engine compartment in a manner causing cool fresh air to be drawn into the compartment at one location, and warm air to be withdrawn therefrom through a conduit at another location, all in a-manner maintaining air circulation within the atmosphere of the compartment at a rate sufiiciently high to reduce considerably the compartment temperature.

Since the principal purpose to be served is proper ventilation within the engine compartment, the invention is more directly concerned With the method or means whereby induction of air through the conduit is caused to maintain effective circulation of cool air within the compartment. As an illustration, the present system is particularly applicable to situations where the engine compartment is in communication with the atmosphere through a vertically extended passage or cool air duct through which the exhaust pipe is brought to a location above the main deck. By discharging the exhaust gases into an ejector throat or passage communicating with the conduit, the exhaust gas discharge is caused to create an upward withdrawal of warm air from the compartment through the conduit, and a replacement flow of cool air through the duct into the compartment. A particularly important feature is the extension of the conduit from the exhaust pipe by way of a branch having a warm air inlet at a location within the compartment distant from the location at which erence is had to the accompanying drawing, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view illustrating diagrammatically a typical embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-section on line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 isan enlarged sectional view of the muiiler and the surrounding stack section of the air conduit; 7 I Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a variational embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 5 is an enlarged section on line 57-5 of Fig.4. Referring first to Fig. 1, the hull ill of the boat is shown to contain an engine compartment H below the main deck l2 of the boat. As will be understood, the depth or location otherwise of the compartment l'l within the hull of the boat may vary in difierent situations, as in accordance with the type and construction of the boat, and the purpose of the engine-driven equipment.

To illustrate a situation encountered in medium or larger size vessels, the engine compartment I l is shownto be located rather deep in the hull, below, other compartments I3, l4, and I5, at a distance of say 40 feet below the main deck l2. Access is had to the compartment through a relatively small cross-sectional area trunk or passage l6, which also serves as a duct through which fresh air is drawn into the compartment, as will presently appear.

The compartment ll contains one or more internal combustion engines, diagrammatically indicated at H, serving as the prime mover for any suitable purpose, as to drive auxiliary equipment such as a pump or generator [8. In other the cooler air enters the compartment. As illusinstances, the engine or engines may be used to drive the boat. Combustion gases are discharged from the engine through an exhaust pipe I!) extending upwardly within the duct l6 to a mufller 20 positioned at or above the deck l2. It will be understood that except where otherwise qualified or distinguished, the muflier may be regarded as a portion or extension of the exhaust'pipe.

simple form of air conduit arrang'ed'with relain Figs, 4 and 5 differs from the described embodiment with respect to the extent of the exhaust pipe jacketed by the warm air conduit, and the provision of mean for controlling the air intake to the conduit. Here the exhaust pipe 35, including the lower flexible section 36, is jacketed substantially to the engine by the bottom length 310i the conduit, which desirably may be of sectional form to facilitate access to the exhaust pipe. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 5, the jacket length 31 may be made in section 31a and 31b {bolted togetherat 38. I

tion to the exhaust pipe to cause induced draft of Warm air through it from the proper location within the engine compartment; 1 4

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 T

F *The conduit branch 39 may connect with the exhaust pipe jacket at any point along its length, and is-shown typically to extend upwardly and then above theengine to the far side of the comand 2, the exhaust pipe I9 is surrounded by a I The withdrawal of air through inlets 4| and 42 in the conduit branch 39, is controllable by suitjacket or air conduit 2| extending upwardly through the duct Hi to connect with a stack, seo- 3 tion 22 of the conduit surrounding the muffler 20. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the muffler, which may be of any suitable internal design and construction, is rigidly attached to the stack 22, as by means of spiders 23, to position the muffler outlet 24 in predetermined relation to the throat 25 of the stack, so that the discharge of exhaust gases induces a high velocity flow of air through the conduit spaces 26 and 21 to be discharged with the exhaust gases through the outlet 28. In view of the cooling effected by the high velocity air flow through the space 26', insulation of the conduit 2| may be a matter of choice.

Figs. 1 and 2 show the conduit 26 to depart at 29 from the exhaust pipe and to extend above the engine I! to a location 30 distant from the location 3| at which fresh air enters the compartment through the duct l6. Suitable provision is made for permitting longitudinal expansion and contraction of the exhaust pipe, while maintaining at all times the properfixedrelationship between the mufiler outlet 24 and the throat 25. As illustrative, the exhaust pipe may leave theconduit 2| through an opening 32 within which the exhaust pipe is free'to expand or contract, and is connected with the engine through a flexible section 33 permitting "such movement.) The lower end portion of the exhaust pipewithin th compartment and outside the air conduit 2|, preferably isinsulated. I

The discharge of combustion gases from the mufiler acts to draw warm air upwardly from the compartment through the conduit 2 Land .toeffectively cool that portion of the exhaust pipe jacketed by the conduit. Since it effects a withdrawal of warm air from the compartment, this same induced draft produces a downward-flowof cool fresh air through the'duct I6 into thecompartment. The lower branch of the conduit 2| is positioned and extended with the view of obtaining most effective 'air' circulation within the compartment atmosphere, and. eflicient withdrawal of heat from the compartment. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the conduit 2| may be extended directly over the engine H to a location 3!! at the side of the compartment opposite the duct IS. The induction of warm air into the end of the conduit creates withinthe compartment a cross flow of cool air enterin through the duct I6, to effectively remove heat from the vicinity of the engine. If desired, a second air inlet 34 may be provided to cause warm air to be drawn from directly above the engine; and thereby immediately remove from the engine heat lessquickly taken into the conduit by the cross air flow."

The variational form of the invention "shown partment, from a location at 4|) near the engine.

able means, such as th manually adjustable butterfly valves 63 and 44. Ordinarily the atmosphere of the compartment will tend to become overheated, and consequently valves 43 and 44 will be set to permit a high rate of warm air withdrawal from the compartment. In installations where at times heating of the compartment may be desirable, the valves may be closed to whatever extent necessary to maintain the desired compartment temperature by reason of the engine heat.

I claim:

'1."In a boat containing a compartment below the boat deck, an internal combustion engine in said compartment, and an air duct leading from said compartment to the deck; the combination comprising an exhaust pipe extending from the engine, an air discharge conduit leading from said compartment, and means creating a flow of warm air through said conduit from the compartment atmosphere and a replacement flow of cool air into the compartment through said duct, by virtue of theengineexhaust gas discharge through said pipe.

2, In a boat containing a compartment below theboat deck, an internal combustion engine in said compartment, and a vertically extended duct leading from said compartment to the deck; the combination comprising an exhaust pipe extending'from the engine upwardly through said duct, an air discharge conduit leading from saidcompartment, and means creating a fiow of warm air through said conduit from the compartment atmosphere and a replacement flow of cool air through said duct into a location in the compartment distant from the location of air withdrawal therefrom through said conduit, by virtue of the engine exhaust gas discharge through said pipe.

3.-In a boat containing a compartment below the boat deck, an internal combustion engine in saidcompartment, and a duct through which cool air is supplied to said compartment; the combination comprising an exhaust pipe extending from the engine, an air discharge conduit leading from said compartment, and means creatin a flow of warm air through said conduit from a location in the compartment directly above the engine and a replacement flow of cool air into the compartment through said duct, by virtue of the engine exhaust gas discharge through said pipe. 1

4. In a boat containing a compartment below the boat deck, an internal combustion engine in said compartment, and a vertically extended duct leading from said compartment to the deck; the combination comprising an exhaust pipe extending'irom the engine upwardly through said duct,

an air discharge conduit leading from said compartment through said duct in spaced relationabout the exhaust pipe, and means creating a flow of warm air upwardly through said conduit from the compartment atmosphereand a replacement flow of cool air into the compartment through said duct, by virtue of the engine exhaust gas discharge through said pipe.

5. In a boat containing a compartment below the boat deck, an internal combustion engine in said compartment, and a vertically extended duct leading from said compartment to the deck; the combination comprising an exhaust pipe extending from the engine upwardly through said duct, an air discharge conduit surrounding the exhaust pipe within said duct and leading from a location in the compartment distant from the location of air entry thereto through said duct, and means creating a flow of air upwardly through said conduit from the compartment and a replacement flow of cool air into the compartment through said duct, by virtue of the exhaust gas discharge through said pipe.

6. In a boat containing a compartment below the boat deck, an internal combustion engine in said compartment, and a vertically extended duct leading from said compartment to the deck; the combination comprising an exhaust pipe extending from the engine upwardly through said duct, an air discharge conduit surrounding the exhaust pipe within said duct and extending from the exhaust pipe at a location near the engine to take in air from a location in the compartment distant from the location of air entry thereto through said duct.

7. In a boat containing a compartment below the boat deck, an internal combustion engine in said compartment, and a vertically extended duct leading from said compartment to the deck; the combination comprising an exhaust pipe extending from the engine upwardly through said duct, an air discharge conduit surrounding the exhaust pipe within said duct and extending from the exhaust pipe at a location near the engine to take in air from a location in the compartment directl above the engine distant from the location of air air entry thereto through said duct.

8. In a boat containing a compartment below the boat deck, an internal combustion engine in said compartment, and a vertically extended duct leading from said compartment to the deck; the combination comprising an exhaust pipe extending from one side of the engine upwardly through said conduit, an air discharge conduit surrounding the exhaust pipe within said duct and extending from the exhaust pipe to take air from a location in the compartment at the opposite side of the engine and thereby create cross-circulation of air in the compartment past the engine, and means creating a flow of warm air upwardly through said conduit from the compartment and a replacement flow of cool air into the compartment through said duct, by virtue of the exhaust gas discharge through said pipe.

9. In a boat containing a compartment below the boat deck, an internal combustion engine in said compartment, and a vertically extended manway duct leading from the deck into said compartment; the combination comprising an exhaust pipe extending from the engine upwardly through said duct, a muflier connected to said exhaust pipe, an air discharge conduit surrounding said muffler and exhaust pipe and extending downwardly into the compartment, said conduit having a branch extending away from the exhaust pipe to a location within the compartment distant from the location ofair entry thereto through said duct, the discharge of exhaust gas from said muifier creating a flow of warm air upwardly through said conduit from the compartment and a cross-flow of cool air from said duct within the compartment into said branch of the conduit. v

10. In a boat containing a compartment below the boat deck, an internal combustion engine in said compartment, and a vertically extended manway duct leading from the deck into one side of said compartment; the combination comprising an exhaust pipe extending from the engine upwardly through said duct, a muffler connected to said exhaust pipe, an air discharge conduit surrounding said muffler and exhaust pipe and extending downwardly into the compartment, said conduit having a branch extending away from the exhaust pipe to a location within the compartment at the side opposite the side communicating with said duct, the discharge of exhaust gas beyond said muiiler creating a flow of warm air upwardly through said conduit from the compartment and a cross-flow of cool air from said duct within the compartment past the engine into said branch of the conduit.

11. In a boat containing a compartment below the boat deck, an internal combustion engine in said compartment, and a vertically extended manway duct leading from the deck into one side of said compartment; the combination comprising an exhaust pipe extending from the engine upwardly through said duct, a mufiler above the deck and connected to said exhaust pipe, an air discharge conduit surrounding said mufiler and exhaust pipe and extending downwardly into the compartment, said conduit having a branch extending away from the exhaust pipe to a location above the engine, the discharge of exhaust gas from said muflier creating a flow of warm air upwardly through said conduit branch from a location in the compartment directly above the engine and a replacement flow of cool air into the compartment at a location distant from the location of air withdrawal therefrom through said conduit branch.

12. In a boat containing a compartment below the boat deck, an internal combustion engine in said compartment, and a vertically extended manway duct leading from the deck into one side of said compartment; the combination comprising an exhaust pipe extending from the engine upwardly through said duct, a mufller above the deck and connected to said exhaust pipe, an air discharge conduit surrounding said mufiier and exhaust pipe and extending downwardly into the compartment, said .conduit having a branch extending away from the exhaust pipe over the engine to an inlet at the side of the compartment opposite the side thereof into which said duct leads, the discharge of exhaust gas from said mufiler creating a flow of warm air from said compartment into said conduit branch inlet and also into an opening in said branch directly above the engine.

13. In a boat containing a compartment below the boat deck, and an internal combustion engine in said compartment; the combination comprising means forming a duct through which fresh air is supplied to the compartment, a warm air discharge conduit leading from the compartment, and means creating by virtue of the engine exhaust gas discharge a flow of warm air from the compartment through said conduit, and therefore a replacement flow of cool air through said duct into the compartment.

14. In a boat containing a compartment below the boat deck, and an internal combustion engine in said compartment; the combination comprising means forming a duct through which fresh air is supplied to one location in the compartment, a warm air discharge conduit leading replacement flow of cool air through said duct into the compartment.

PETER. E. FLUQR. 

